Verse by Verse

Hi. I'm Eric Jones, and this is Verse by Verse, a short podcast all about exploring the insights and lessons of the inspired word of God. On today's episode, we're focusing on Paul's words to the Colossians recorded in Colossians 1 verse 17. Now before we actually read the verse, let's set the context. In my Bible, the subject heading of Colossians 1 verses 9 through 18 is the preeminence of Christ.

Preeminence simply means supremacy or the superiority of something. So these verses discuss the supremacy or the powers and responsibilities unique to Jesus Christ. As the word preeminence implies, these powers and responsibilities far surpass any of us or even any angel for that matter and must be recognized, understood, and respected. In the hierarchy of authority that exists in heaven and on earth, Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation. Though the Bible is clear he still operates under the authority of God the father, who is and always will be the highest and supreme authority.

In fact, before Paul deals with Christ's preeminence, he establishes the preeminence of the father in verse 12. Colossians 1 verse 12, giving thanks to the father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. Then Paul transitions to discussing the power and attributes of Jesus Christ. Throughout the next four verses, he reveals a series of vital truths about the identity and work of Jesus Christ. So let's pick it up in verse 16.

For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him. So Jesus Christ is the being who created all things. He is the creator. Everything that was ever created, including the angels, the stars, the galaxies, the earth, animal life, and human life, yes, were all created by Jesus Christ, of course, operating under the direction of the father.

Most references to God in the old testament, especially the ones that show God directly involved in the creation and dealing with people, describe the preexistent Jesus Christ. Many people are actually surprised to learn how often the being who became Jesus is referred to in the Old Testament. Most of the references we have about God in the old testament actually refer to Jesus, not the father. That's why during his ministry, Jesus said he came to reveal the father. You can read that in John 17 verses 25 through 26.

But now back here in Colossians 1, we come to verse 17, which is the verse we're really focusing on in this episode, and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. This statement reiterates what we read in the previous verse about Christ being the creator. First of all, as creator of all things, that means he existed before all things. Jesus Christ existed before everything, before any angel or piece of physical matter ever came into existence. So that is one reason he is described as preeminent, because he is before everything.

The first verse of the first chapter of the gospel of John, John 1 verse 1, actually reveals that there was a time when only the father and the word, that is the one who became Jesus Christ, existed. We usually refer to this time as prehistory. So that's the first major point we derive from this verse, that Jesus Christ preexisted before all things. Paul also writes, interestingly, that Christ is the being in whom all things consist. Other translations translate that as in him all things are held together.

That means he's not just the originator of all life, but he's also the sustainer of it. He is the one who keeps everything from simply coming apart and descending into utter chaos. Though sometimes people think of god as a distant being who takes no interest in the created order, the truth is that Jesus Christ is very involved because he is the sustainer of the created order and all life. Yes. He undoubtedly uses the force we call gravity to hold our world together, but again, he is the power behind that force because he created it.

Again, he created all things. He's the one that sustains the balance and consistency of the orbits of planets in our solar system and beyond to facilitate life on earth. He also probably acts in many other ways to ensure the safety and protection of this tiny little blue and green dot that hangs in space, he does that as the sustainer of life. Paul then completes the thought with these words in verse 18, and he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may have the preeminence. There's that word again, preeminence.

We don't have the time in this episode to explore all the truths about Christ packed into this verse, but we will emphasize the last part, that in all things he may have the preeminence. That is, in all things he may have the supremacy, greatness, superiority, and eminence. My friends, there is so much more to learn about this magnificent being we call Jesus Christ. The descriptions of his power and responsibility, his glory, we find in Colossians 1 should help us grow to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of him, not just as our savior, but as our creator, sustainer, and master.

Verse by Verse is a companion podcast to the daily bible verse blog, which you can find on the Life, Hope, and Truth Learning Center. Check out the show notes for more.